SCORE Salutes the First American Entrepreneurs, Our Founding Fathers

Washington, D.C. – This Presidents’ Day, SCORE, mentors to America’s small businesses, honors the original American small business owners, our country’s Founding Fathers who continue to serve as valuable role models for entrepreneurs across this nation. In addition to laying the groundwork for what our country is today, the Founding Fathers started and operated successful businesses that jumpstarted not only the new nation’s economy but our society’s fervor for entrepreneurship. Founding Father Thomas Jefferson spoke highly of the efficient nature of entrepreneurial ventures saying, “Agriculture, manufactures, commerce and navigation, the four pillars of our prosperity, are most thriving when left most free to individual enterprise.” SCORE continues this legacy of bolstering small business in America by equipping entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively start and thrive through its volunteer mentors and multitudes of resources

George Washington has been called “one of America’s leading entrepreneurs,” credited with running a successful fishing operation, flour mill, and whiskey distillery and transforming his small Virginia farm of Mount Vernon into a prosperous industrial village. Beyond producing simply for the sustainability of the farm, Washington exported his goods throughout the 13 colonies, the West Indies and Europe.

It is well known that Founding Father Alexander Hamilton established the Bank of New York, but even more significant was his support of small businesses. The bank regularly made 30- to 90-day loans, ranging from $500 to $2,000, to local entrepreneurs looking to start or expand their enterprises.

And while many know of Benjamin Franklin’s contribution to the world of media, it must be acknowledged that his founding of The Pennsylvania Gazette not only revolutionized the world of print communications but was an entrepreneurial success as well, generating significant revenues through the sales of advertisements.

“It is important to recognize the many ways, not just politically but philosophically, our Founding Fathers set our country on a course towards success,” said SCORE’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Bridget Weston Pollack. “It is their examples of entrepreneurial achievements that inspire our enthusiasm for and support of small business today.”

If you or someone you know has a business idea and needs help getting started or owns a small business and could benefit from free mentoring and tools, log on to www.SCORE.org.